Southeastern has released plans in contingency for severe weather after their poor reaction to the snow last winter.

This seems like a good reaction to a bad mistake; improvements obviously are needed to ensure passenger safety and comfort in times of trouble.

Unfortunately some of the measures they have chosen to publicise verge on the ridiculous. Glowsticks and foil – really?

While it is good to be prepared, the public may be more comforted by plans to prevent circumstances where they would be in need of these items. Although Southeastern cannot physically stop snow from falling it could spend more time and effort on emergency timetabling, and ensuring this provides accurate and reliable information to passengers.

They may have to resort to more extreme measures, but they should be treated as the last option in a series of coping strategies designed to alleviate the damage bad weather can cause.